In general terms, what does the system do?

It’s a web-based remote monitoring system (RMS) that combines a data-logging and  communication terminal with a cloud-based server to provide both ‘live and historic’ visibility and control of any process.  The user views all information and controls the system over the internet via an intuitive Dashboard interface.

How does Dexdyne’s RMS system differ from a traditional SCADA system?

Dexdyne’s RMS combines the best features of traditional SCADA systems with the flexibility and convenience of the internet.  Unlike a standard SCADA system, Dexdyne’s RMS was designed from the ground up to be used (and be used securely) over the internet and is not restricted either in how you use it or scale it.  Our customer decides how many parameters are monitored and how many people are allowed to see the data generated without the need for additional licences.

Does Dexdyne charge licensing fees on a per user basis?

No. Unlike other SCADA systems, Dexdyne does not charge licensing fees on a per user account basis.  Dexdyne provides facilities for managing user accounts and does not impose an upper limit on the number of users that the customer can create.  There is no extra charge regardless of how many user accounts are created.

Is the Dexdyne system secure? 

At Dexdyne, we regard security as paramount.  You need to be able to rely on the integrity of the data generated and to keep it secure.  Dexdyne’s remote communication terminal (RCT) communicates with the server over a secure VPN and SSL-encrypted link using either a GPRS or an ADSL link.

Can I view all my connected processes from a single log-in?

Dexdyne’s RMS provides access to the status of your entire estate from a single log-in.  You can see and analyse all your connected equipment data in a uniform format, even if your  equipment was supplied by several different manufacturers.

Is the Dexdyne RMS system scalable?

Yes, the Dexdyne RMS is specifically designed to be fully scalable.  You can use it to manage a single site or thousands of sites.  Moreover, the user hierarchy is fully scalable too.  In other words, our customer can decide (at no extra charge) to create any number of separate and secure user accounts and define precisely what data each user can access.  The user can therefore organise its entire estate as a hierarchy with regions and levels of access rights. Dexdyne’s RMS is designed to grow with any business, whatever its rate of expansion and whatever the complexity of its structure.

What type of live information can I get by looking at the Dexdyne Dashboard interface?

You’ll get an easy-on-the-eye ‘traffic light’ view that shows a list of site names and when their data was last uploaded onto the server.  You will also be able to see key performance indicators (KPIs) giving a quick overview of the entire estate.  You can also drill down further by clicking on any of the site names (green ones) and looking at the live process.  Where required, process mimics can also be created.

Can the Dexdyne system provide alarms by SMS if a connected process strays outside pre-determined parameters?

Yes, the system is designed to do just that.  The system has a sophisticated alarm function ranging from an SMS message to a single user, to an alarm escalation and acknowledgement sequence.  The customer’s system administrator can easily set and change the applicable alarm settings via the Dashboard interface.

What does the charting functionality do?

Dexdyne’s sophisticated charting function allows you to plot up to 10 parameters simultaneously from a selected date and time range and then save/download it as an image or CSV data file.

What does the “Event Snap” tool do?

Event Snap allows a user to analyse the sequence of events before and after a failure point - thus enabling a correlation analysis to be made between interdependent process parameters.

Can I really access the system from anywhere?

The system is designed to be supported on all standard internet browsers so, provided you have internet access, you can access the system from anywhere at any time.  The Dashboard function is accessible from desktops/laptops, mobile handsets and tablets as well.

Can the Dexdyne RMS system connect to any machinery? Can I monitor equipment from different manufacturers?

Our systems are manufacturer agnostic. 
At Dexdyne we think it is important for an RMS to be able to connect to multiple pieces of equipment/machinery made by multiple manufacturers.  The remote communication terminal (RCT) is able to connect directly to the remote equipment via RS232, RS485 or ethernet ports and communicate via a default Modbus protocol.  Other protocols can also be supported.  The RCT can also accept direct sensor signals through the built-in digital and analogue I/O.

Do I need to put a SIM in the remote communication terminal (RCT)?

You do not have to put a SIM into our RCT if you are using an ADSL connection.  Generally, we recommend that customers use a SIM even if they intend to rely mainly on an ADSL connection.  The RCT can work with a local (non-roaming) SIM and,  in the event of failure of the default comms method, can swap between ADSL and GPRS connectivity if the SIM is installed in the RCT.  The system uses ordinary consumer GSM/GPRS SIMs – there are no special requirements on configuration or feature support.

I would like the system to send out various bespoke management reports automatically by e-mail. Is this possible?

Yes.   Automatic reports in Microsoft Excel or Comma Separated Value (CSV) format can be set up and sent automatically by email to each  recipient as specified by the user.  Again, the architecture is  flexible so different reports can be configured and sent to different recipients.

Is the Dexdyne RMS better suited to any particular type of installation?

Dexdyne’s RMS works for both simple and complex installations.  In either case it is, reassuringly, flexible enough to cope with future expansion of the customer’s business or business needs.  At Dexdyne we understand that each customer will have different requirements.  We are thoroughly familiar with complex responsibility stacks and have designed our system to be able to provide all reasonable structures of visibility and invisibility.  
For instance, just the manufacturer’s technical support and the end user’s overall or regional service departments might have access to a particular process reading, e.g. oil temperature. 
By way of example, a more complex responsibility stack could look like this:

  • Manufacturer

    • Tech Support

  • Local Distributor

  • End User

    • Management Info

      • Regional Divisions

        • Regional Operation & Maintenance Info

  • Independent Audit access (e.g. carbon credits)

Can the Dexdyne RCT be used to monitor more than one machine at a time or do you need to have one RCT per connected process?

Irrespective of the size of your project, for example, an entire estate of diesel gensets or a series of disparate processes in a combined heat and power (CHP) installation, it is often possible to use a single RCT to web-enable more than one process on the same site.  
Energy sub-metering monitoring is one area that lends itself to RCT sharing. 
In other cases, such as anaerobic digester monitoring or offshore environmental monitoring ventures, each process may require its own RCT.  At Dexdyne we always work with our customers to help find the most cost-effective and appropriate solution for each application.

Is the Dexdyne RMS best suited to any one particular application?

The functionality of Dexdyne’s RMS is applicable to any process that requires remote management.  It can be used for remote monitoring and control of anything from a single fuel tank to water treatment plants or mine and landfill gas generators.  Please refer to the case studies on the website for some examples of how our system has been successfully applied in various energy management and related applications.

What is the ROI for an RMS system?

Typically, the return on investment (ROI) for an RMS can be measured in months.  The ROI is  particularly quick where the system is used to minimise the need for expensive site and  maintenance visits, for example: 
- by enabling safe remote resets and remote monitoring, thereby maximising process uptime; 
- by anticipating performance and expediting the resolution of any process interruptions; 
- by identifying process inefficiencies, and
- by highlighting if some machines within an estate of equipment (local or global) are more efficient than others. 
In management terms, the availability of timely and complete reporting at all requisite levels  - and the possibility of future-proofing your assets - justifies the investment costs of the system.

Is it possible to re-brand the Dashboard user interface so that it looks like my own product with my corporate colours and logo? 

Yes.  We can brand the product in your colours and logo and provide a client-specific web address (URL).